The Remington Rolling Block is one of the most important firearms of the 19th
century. It was chambered in more calibers and offered in more
configurations than most people can keep track of, let's take a look. The most
common Rolling Blocks are the large frame military models, like this one in
43 Egyptian, t was made about 1870. However, the first guns were designed by
Joseph Reiter during the Civil War and utilized a split breach where the hammer
goes through the breech block to fire the cartridge. The split breach models
were in large caliber rimfire only and were made in both large and small frame
design. The first patents on the Rolling Block design were issued in 1863 in 1864.
Development continued and the nearly final Rolling Block design was in place
by the late 1860's. The first rifles purchased by the US military were the
1867 Navy carbines in 50-45 centerfire. During this time period Remington also
began licensing the Remington system and the use of the Rolling Block patents.
This 1867 Danish Rifle is one of the most often encountered. A unique feature
of the danish model is that it could fire either rimfire or centerfire ammo.
During the 19th century Remington and its licensees produced millions of
military rifles for various countries. These rifles are all referred to as
#1 Rolling Blocks, but have slightly different features and are
found in several different calibers. The most frequently encountered are from
Egypt and Spain, chambered in 43 Egyptian and 43 Spanish. The U.S. Armory in
Springfield, Massachusetts also made a few rifles under Remington's patents for
the Army and Navy, such as this model 1871. An interesting feature on this
rifle is the half cocked safety, when the breech block is closed the hammer drops
to half cock and must be pulled back to fire the gun. Rifles made by Remington
for the New York State Militia also had this feature in both rifles and carbines.
These guns remained in service with the New York National Guard until the late
1890s. Beginning about 1868 Remington produced a large frame sporting rifle
based on the military action. The actions are slightly thinner and early models
featured a round top receiver. Sporting rifles were generally made with octagon
barrels and the stocks are more graceful than the military versions. The trigger
guard is also shaped more gracefully.
Sporting rifles were available with many options including upgraded sights, set
triggers, and about any barrel length and weight that the customer wanted. In the
early 1870s Remington began making receivers specifically for the sporting
rifle and these can be identified by the flattop versus the round design of the
earlier models. Number One sporting rifles offer a great collecting
opportunity with only about 10,000 produced.
Calibers range from 22 short all the way to 50-70 Government. A shotgun
version was also offered chambered in either 16 or 20 gauge. In the mid 1880's
Remington introduced a lighter weight version of the #1 sporting rifle.
It was designed for smaller cartridges only and is called the model
one-and-a-half. It features a thinner receiver than the #1 and the
receiver is flat sided without rebates.
The number one and a half generally features a shorter and lighter weight
barrel than the #1. Less than 5000 were made when production ended in
the late 1890's. The number one in the haves are generally found in pistol type
calibers ranging from the 22 rimfire through the 44-40 Winchester centerfire.
The baby carbine is a variation of the number one and a half rifle. It was a
military version made primarily for the export markets in Central and South
America and it's chambered for the 44-40 Winchester centerfire cartridge.
Remington used the basic Rolling Block design for handguns producing pistols
for the US Navy beginning about 1865 and for the Ain 1871. The Army versions
have a different frame and grip angle and all pistols made for the military
are in 50 caliber pistol.
Remington also produced civilian versions of the pistol in commercial
calibers. A small lightweight rifle the #2 was introduced in 1872. This
rifle was developed from the 1871 Army Pistol receiver. The #2 was an
accurate and reliable single-shot rifle and was offered in several variations in
both rimfire and small caliber centerfire. The #7 rifle was
made from 1871 Army Pistol receivers and is a true target rifle. The rifle was
made by reshaping the rear tang of the receiver then adding a shoulder stock
and a longer barrel. The smallest rolling block was the #4 and was
offered as a boys rifle. It was available in 22, 25, and 32 rimfire and utilized a
slightly different internal mechanism than other Rolling Blocks. When the
#4 was first introduced it was available only in a solid frame version.
Later guns were take down where the barrel could be removed from the
receiver by either turning a lever or a thumb screw.
Remington used the Rolling Block action for several different cadet rifles.
Cadet rifles resemble larger military service rifles but were shorter smaller and
lighter. The last cadet rifle made by Remington was the #4S. early rifles
were called boy scout models and the name was later changed to the military
model. Smokeless powder was introduced in the mid 1880s and in 1898 Remington
upgraded the steel and design for the new higher pressure cartridges.
These rifles are called #5 and are generally found in 7mm Mauser
as well as a few other calibers.
The last shipment of rifles was to France in 1914 these guns are chambered
in 8mm French Lebel. The basic Rolling Block design was popular in
large part because it was so simple, so durable, and it was chambered in all the
popular cartridges of the day